‘Unisa Radio laid the foundation of my career’

Vibrant media personality and Unisa alumnus, Thabo Baloyi, always enjoyed engaging with people, but little did he know that this quality would lead to an exciting career path in news radio. For Baloyi, the BA: Communication Science qualification that he obtained at Unisa in 2018 broadened his understanding of current affairs. “Also,” he says, “I value the experience gained at Unisa Radio as a former volunteer, as it laid the foundation of my career.”

Thabo Baloyi

He explains: ‘This multifaceted qualification allows me to explore different avenues within the media field.” Baloyi feels that his qualification merges with his personality, and he appreciates the influence that media have on society. For Baloyi, the degree has some socio-political and historical aspects that he relates to.

Career reflection and highlights

Reflecting on his career journey, Baloyi explains that he started as a content producer for the lunch time show ‘The Lunch Box’ on Unisa Radio, before producing one of its flagship programmes ‘Unisa Radio Debate’. He expresses his appreciation for the creativity that the debate show unleashed for him as it was controversial and thought-provoking. “I learnt the basics of radio and working in the newsroom. Therefore, the experience I gained opened greener pastures for me, especially from a current affairs perspective,” he remarks. 

Baloyi adds: “I was a news journalist at several South African media houses, including on the now known as Afro Worldview, as well as on Power FM and YFM. I am currently a newsreader for 5FM’s breakfast show.”

Among his career highlights, Baloyi was nominated for Best Radio Newsreader at the 2021 South African Radio Awards alongside some of the country's more established media personalities. He notes: “I also had the privilege of working with people whom I grew up admiring on the media such as renowned broadcaster and author, Joane Joseph. I was over the moon when she told me that I was one of her favourite radio newsreaders.” Baloyi continues: “When I was at YFM, I appeared on the Family Feud South Africa game show, where I met seasoned American media personality, Steve Harvey.”

The university of choice

According to Baloyi, his experience studying at Unisa was enriching and he found the university more convenient than traditional universities as students work at their own pace. “Also,” he adds, “there are resources at students’ disposal to help them.” Baloyi also notes that Unisa is affordable compared to other institutions of higher learning. This highlights the university’s commitment to ensuring access to higher education for all. 

Wishing Unisa well on its 150th anniversary this year, Baloyi says: “May it grow from strength to strength and preserve its role as a leading open and distance e-learning university on the African continent.” 

He concludes: “To Unisa students, the journey might not be easy but continue to soldier on in the name of education. At the end, the results will be enriching beyond measure.”

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* By Nancy Legodi, Acting Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement